Dynamic duo Reyes, Partosa power CED Titans in a 35-33 thriller mixed badminton doubles crown

Tensions ran high as College of Education (CED) Titans duo of Mhyco Cliff Reyes and Shanen Nicole Partosa survived endless rallies to outlast the College of Engineering (CE) Knights tandem of Francheska Coline Caridad and Jarren Rivera, 35–33, in the mixed badminton doubles championship match at Rajah Sulayman Gymnasium, Oct. 23.

From the opening point, both tandems engaged in a tight battle for gold, trading fierce exchanges as the Knights fought to gain the upper hand, but the Titans answered with sharp clears and drive kills that pierced through their opponents’ defense.

Reyes unleashed relentless firepower with blistering jump smashes and steep cross-court kills from the backcourt, while Partosa held firm at the forecourt tape, cutting off loose birds with crisp flat drives and tight net tumbles.

With stamina pushed to the brink and traded points from unforced errors, the roaring gymnasium crowd carried the Titans over the line as deceptive drop shots and clutch net kills sealed match point, 35–33.

Earlier in the tournament, CED punched its ticket to the championship match after dispatching the College of Information Systems and Technology Management (CISTM) Pythons’ tandem of Jomari Bermoy and Reigne Ella Denise Bautista in the semifinals, 35–15.

Meanwhile, in the battle for bronze, the College of Business Administration (CBA) Jaguars’ Jonna Mae Agito and Gabriel Crisologo claimed the podium spot, turning away the CISTM Pythons, 35–30, behind steady shot placement and sharp net play.

The triumph capped off the Titans’ championship campaign in one of the most electrifying, edge-of-your-seat battles of the tournament, while the resilient Knights settled for silver after a valiant fight to the final point.